Ocean Acidification

Ocean acidification, the decrease in the pH of the Earth's oceans caused by the uptake of atmospheric carbon dioxide, reduces calcification rates in corals and may affect economically-important shellfish species such as oysters, scallops, mussels, clams and crabs.

SoundIQ

SoundIQ allows us to visually illustrate our projects on a map in the context of other important natural resource information.
Embedded in the SoundIQ maps are links to the data and reports associated with Northwest Straits Initiative projects. Learn more about our work by visiting SoundIQ.
Find more information and a link to SoundIQ below.

Kelp Protection and Recovery

Large brown algae commonly known as ‘kelp’ provide habitat to a variety of species in Puget Sound. Declines in the amount of bull kelp have been observed in many areas. The Northwest Straits Commission works to monitor and protect kelp in northern Puget Sound.

Olympia Oyster Restoration

Tiny Olympia oysters used to flourish in the waters of Puget Sound, but overharvesting and pollution brought them to near extinction. Marine Resources Committees, in partnership with multiple organizations, are working to restore native Olympia oyster populations in their historic range in the Northwest Straits region.

Watch Now: Engaging Conservation Leaders

Puget Sound is a living jewel that encompasses thousands of shoreline miles in Washington state and is home to more than 4 million people. However, this fjord-like estuary is experiencing continued ecological decline and loss of critical marine habitat.

Animator Andrea Love created this beautiful short film to highlight the work of the Initiative and how it contributes to the goal of protecting and restoring local marine waters. The short film illustrates how we partners with scientists, locally-based advisory groups, and volunteers who all share the common goal of protecting local marine waters through programs such as the removal of derelict fishing gear, and restoration of many shoreline sites.

The Northwest Straits Commission is a regional coordinating body comprised of people who care about the marine areas where they live, and who work together to protect and restore marine resources.

The Northwest Straits Commission carries out regional conservation projects and supports the work of seven Marine Resources Committees through funding, technical support, training and regional coordination.

August NWSC Meeting

Tri-county collaboration energizes local volunteers

Clallam, Jefferson, Island

One of the cornerstones of the Northwest Straits Initiative is our ability to collaborate and cross-pollinate ideas from one Marine Resources Committee (MRC) to another. Recently members of the Jefferson, Clallam and Island MRCs held a joint meeting and potluck to ask questions and share ideas on strategies to maintain and improve upon the eelgrass project and potential collaborative projects.

Fifty volunteers and staff from each of the three MRCs, along with staff from the Northwest Straits Commission and the Northwest Straits Foundation discussed everything from educating the public on shellfish harvest and engaging youth to mapping eelgrass with multi-beam sonar. Educating the public on our unique organizational structure and exposing them to on-the-ground projects emerged as important aspects of outreach. You can expect to see multi-beam sonar expanding in this three-county area in the near future--a great example of how effective we can be when we work together.

Learn more about the local Marine Resources Committees on our website.

#CatchMoreCrab

Northwest Straits Initiative

Crabbing season is well under way in Puget Sound and so is our #CatchMoreCrab campaign! The Northwest Straits Initiative is working collaboratively to help recreational crabbers reduce crab pot loss–estimated in the thousands yearly. Watch for volunteers sharing information at boat launches and marinas this season, or grab one of our cards at many local retailers where crabbing gear is sold.

Check your pots for these simple ways to reduce loss:

Make buoys more visible by adding a second buoy or a stick and flag.

Use a weighted line to sink below the surface and avoid being cut by passing boats.

Weight your crab pots so they don’t move with currents or tidal changes.

Use longer line. Use 1/3 more line than the water depth to allow for changes in tides and currents.

Doug Stark, Whatcom MRC

Whatcom

Doug Stark is a true nature enthusiast. His involvement with Whatcom MRC started in 2003 and he now serves as the representative for the MRC on the Northwest Straits Commission. Originally from a farm in Minnesota, he worked his way west dabbling in field sciences and environmental education. His fascination in diverse habitats afforded him many opportunities to work in many fields, from a ranch hand in the Rocky Mountains to helping-hand as a diver harvesting clams. Doug is particularly drawn to the intertidal zone and nearshore habitats and served as an educator for Public Works Natural Resources Division with the City of Bellingham traveling to various school teaching about stormwater.

Doug’s philosophy is best summed best in his own words, "I truly appreciate the MRC's mission of bringing diverse groups together to facilitate agreeable solutions to challenges posed to our Salish Sea environments."

Member Spotlight: Sarah Brown

Snohomish MRC

Sarah Brown is a biologist with a lifelong addiction to all things marine. She began her career at the molecular level, performing gene-related research on melanoma and pyogenic granuloma. She transitioned to teaching, connecting students with the wonders of the natural world and sharing her passion for science.

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Join the Northwest Straits Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation and the Whatcom Marine Resources Committee at Locust Beach for a local beach cleanup. Trash bags and gloves provided. Bring proper clothing for walking the shoreline. This event is part of the annual Whatcom Water Week.